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February 5, 2007

TYA Director headed to Afghanistan

Sommer Woodward

The Thunderbird Youth Academy (TYA) is searching for a new director. Steve Tunnell will be deployed to Afghanistan in March.

Tunnell’s last day at TYA is Feb. 15 and he will fly out March 6.

He will be an instructor for the Afghanistan National Army at the military training center in Kabul.

Tunnell explained he will basically be teaching Afghanistan military officers how to be officers.

TYA is currently taking applications to find a replacement for Tunnell.

Tunnell is retired from active duty with the U.S. Army. He spent four years after retirement in 1997 working to assist veterans for the Employment Security Commission.

He has 28 years total service and is an active member of the National Guard.

One goal in training the Afghanistan Army is to help curb the poppy production. He explained 85 percent of the world’s distribution of heroin comes from Afghanistan. Tunnell said the Taliban was successful in reducing the production of heroin, but by extreme measures.

Afghanistan is a very diverse country. It has 34 different provinces, all with their own culture. Tunnell explained Afghanistan has been occupied by many countries and each left their mark.

Tunnell is no stranger to the Afghanistan history. He had books on the country when he was a child and during officer training he wrote a paper on the 1878 Relief of Kandahar.

Tunnell’s knowledge of the country as well as his history of being a military instructor are both reasons for his deployment.

The academy is planning a going away party for Tunnell Feb. 13, in building 303, room 100, at TYA. A farewell celebration for the community, family and friends is planned for Saturday, March 3, at the Pryor Elks Lodge from 6 to 10 p.m.

Division Executive Assistant Jane Bennett said anyone wishing to say farewell may attend.

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